Flourish!
12 Tips to Improve Well-Being and Resilience
During the past couple of decades, positive psychology, which studies what makes life most worth living, has gained rave reviews from the scientific community and the general public. Positive psychology calls us toward practices that can lead to happier, more flourishing lives, with a focus on natural strengths rather than weaknesses.
Every day offers 1440 new minutes. Each moment offers opportunities to create positivity within ourselves, and our relationships, communities, and at work. Positive psychology concepts are not shortcuts; they typically require awareness, intention, and deliberate action to achieve.
12 Tips to Improve Well-Being and Resilience
Here are 12 tips rooted in the science of positive psychology, flourishing, and resilience. Consider engaging in one or more practices each day to empower yourself and bolster well-being.
1. Be kind. Do something nice for someone.
2. Love others, love yourself. Share warmth and compassion with yourself and others.
3. Relationships matter. Connect with a friend. Make a date to do something together.
4. Know your strengths. Use a natural strength in a new way daily.
5. Get quiet. Pause. Breathe. Meditate daily even for a few moments.
6. Create your positivity list. Identify 10 things that lift your spirits – include them in your life.
7. Set meaningful goals. Take action on clear, realistic, reachable targets.
8. Savor good stuff. Notice good moments. Celebrate good news.
9. Build your vitality. Move. Walk. Use the stairs. Park further away.
10. Remember to laugh. Smiling activates well-being!
11. Keep learning and exploring. Follow your curiosity. Try something new.
12. Practice gratitude. Think of three things that went well today. Write them, reflect, say thanks.
What’s Next For You?
Which of these hints jumps out at you? Pick one practice that you can commit to this week to create more well-being in your life. Start with one clear, doable action!
Download Your FREE Bookmark
I’ve created a useful bookmark with these 12 tips! You might find it helpful to post at as a prompt on your computer, refrigerator, mirror, or a flag in your favorite book(s). Use the list to catch your attention as a bookmark as you read a text or novel.
If you’d like a PDF of this list as a useful bookmark or reminder, click the button below.
Resources and References to Learn More:
- Achor, S. (2018). Big Potential: How Transforming the Pursuit of Success Raises Our Achievement, Happiness, and Well-Being. Currency, NY, NY.
- Boniwell, I. (2012, 3rd Printing). Positive Psychology in a Nutshell. Open University Press (McGraw-Hill), NY, NY.
- Cowan, R. & Thal, L. (2015). Wise Aging: Living with Joy, Resilience, & Spirit. Behrman House, Springfield, NJ.
- Fredrickson, B.L. (2013). Love 2.0: How Our Supreme Emotion Affects Everything We Feel, Think, Do, and Become. Hudson Street Press, NY, NY.
- Halvorson, H.G. (2010). Succeed: How We Can Reach Our Goals. Penguin Group, NY, NY.
- Kraft, Tara L., & Pressman, Sarah D. (2012). Grin and bear it: The influence of manipulated facial expression on the stress response. Psychological Science 23(11), 1372-8.
- Peterson C. (2006). A Primer in Positive Psychology. Oxford University Press, NY, NY.
- Warren, R., Smeets, E. & Neff K. (2016). Risk and Resilience: Being Compassionate to Oneself is Associated with Emotional Resilience and Psychological Well-Being. Current Psychiatry 15(12), 20-32.
Coaching with Ilene Can Help You Call Yourself to Action
Ilene Berns-Zare, PsyD, PCC, CMC is an ICF Credentialed Professional Coach and Speaker. Ilene helps people live their best lives by bringing mind, body, and spirit into flow with their strengths, callings and potential. She inspires clients to find fresh perspectives and access their full potential as creative, resourceful, whole persons. Find Ilene online and access free resources at http://ileneberns-zare.com.
Discovery Coaching Consultation
During this FREE telephone consultation, we become acquainted, explain what coaching is, and mutually establish if we would be a good fit as a coaching team. We discuss your objectives, your current life circumstances, and obstacles you’ve been facing as you strive to reach your most important life goals. Click here to contact Ilene.
In light and empowerment,
Ilene
Please share this blog with anyone who might be interested in reading it!
We would love to hear from you! We are interested in your suggestions for this newsletter, your reactions to this one, or providing more information about coaching.
